How to safely watch a solar eclipse

Never look directly at the sun's rays. When watching a partial eclipse you must wear eclipse glasses at all times or use another indirect method if you want to face the sun. During a total eclipse when the moon completely obscures the sun, it is safe to look directly at the star -- but it's crucial that you know when to wear and not wear your glasses.

Never look directly at the sun's rays. When watching a partial eclipse you must wear eclipse glasses at all times or use another indirect method if you want to face the sun. During a total eclipse when the moon completely obscures the sun, it is safe to look directly at the star -- but it's crucial that you know when to wear and not wear your glasses. NASA Goddard/YouTube

Never look directly at the sun's rays. When watching a partial eclipse you must wear eclipse glasses at all times or use another indirect method if you want to face the sun. During a total eclipse when the moon completely obscures the sun, it is safe to look directly at the star -- but it's crucial that you know when to wear and not wear your glasses. NASA Goddard/YouTube

Yes, you still can see the eclipse without special glasses

If you’re still scouring to find solar eclipse glasses, there are several other ways to safely watch the eclipse on Monday without the special glasses.

The Museum of Life and Science, Morehead Planetarium and many Lowe’s Home Improvement stores are sold out, the Durham Herald-Sun reported. You can still order some Amazon, but you may run the risk of not getting them by Monday.

The American Astronomical Society has compiled a list of companies and retailers that are selling safe glasses certified by authorities the organization recognizes as reputable.

Or you could make your own safe viewing device using items found around your house.

Morehead Planetarium recommends making one of these pinhole projectors, which are devices that allow sunlight to travel through a small opening. That sunlight then can be displayed on the ground, wall or index card, according to the Planetarium.

1. Cereal box. You’ll also need aluminum foil and tape. Watch the video below for a tutorial on how to make it. During the partial eclipse, do not face the sun and don’t look at the sun through the pinhole. The larger the box, the bigger the projection, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

How to make a pinhole projector to view the solar eclipse

You don't necessarily need fancy equipment to watch one of the sky's most awesome shows: a solar eclipse. With just a few simple supplies, you can make a pinhole camera that allows you to view the event safely and easily.

You don't necessarily need fancy equipment to watch one of the sky's most awesome shows: a solar eclipse. With just a few simple supplies, you can make a pinhole camera that allows you to view the event safely and easily.

NASA

2. Colander. With the sun behind you, hold the colander above or beside your head. Use the small holes in the colander to act as the pinhole projector and use the ground below or an index card in front of you as your “screen” to watch the eclipsed sun.

3. Printer paper. The Jet Propulsion Laboratory suggests to cut out a hole into a piece of paper and tape aluminum foil over the hole. Poke a pinhole in the aluminum. Place a different piece of paper on the ground. Facing away from the sun, hold the piece of paper with the foil facing up. The projected image will appear on the paper on the ground.

Try out these methods on a sunny day before Monday so you are familiar on how to use them.